Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted at my other blog — The Broke & the Bookish
This week’s topic: Ten Books That Have Been Recommended To Me A Lot (And I Still Haven’t Read)
This was a hard list to narrow down but I tried to pick the ones that really stuck out to me! I feel like I’m constantly being recommended things! I LOVE LOVE LOVE though when people go out of their way to be like JAMIE THIS IS A YOU BOOK PLEASE READ IT. I love that.
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick: If I had to pick ONE book so many people have been like “OMG THIS IS A JAMIE BOOK WHY HAVE YOU NOT READ IT” this would be it. It really does look like a book made for me!
Winger by Andrew Smith: I don’t honestly even know what this one is about but I’ve had multiple people tell me it’s a me book! I plan to get it from the library at some point!
The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta: This has been recommended so specifically by SOOO many people and then when I finally read Jellicoe Road and then recently Saving Francesca the shouts have gotten louder. You will be happy to know I have picked it up from the library and it is in my possession!
How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr: I’ve read Sara Zarr books before so I could see why people would rec this as a Jamie book. I think it will be too HOPEFULLY!
Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz: I got this out from the library because people said it was a me book but then I didn’t get to it and then I had people yelling at me saying WHY YOU NO READ IT?!
Something Real by Heather Demetrios: This was a widely recommended book to me in generally when I tweeted for recs for best books people had read this year but then a few people who recommended it said JAMIE BOOK. It was already on my radar but even more so after people were RAVING like that. So many people said I needed to read it!
The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas: Maybe people have recommended this as a Jamie book because it will rip your heart out potentially? And the obvious Jamie Likes Reading Books About Grief thing.
Daughter Of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor: This one hasn’t been like a OH IT IS A YOU BOOK but it seems to get recommended to me a lot. People do say they think i would like the writing also! What say you, readers? IS THIS A JAMIE BOOK? Or just a good book in general that I should give a try?
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes: I cannot tell you how many people have recommended this book to me as a must read. ALL OF TWITTER IT SEEMS SOMETIMES.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: Who hasn’t recommended this book to me?? Even friends who rarely read are like OMG YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!
So tell me…which of these books should I absolutely read first?? Do you have any recs on here that you think OH THIS IS A JAMIE BOOK?? I am all about those!
Rachel Patrick says
I loved the writing in DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE. And MY LIFE NEXT DOOR! That made my list, too–I need to read it!
Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf
Jamie says
That’s the biggest thing I’ve heard about DoSaB is the writing!!
Shelly says
I really love Daughter of Smoke and Bone and recommend it to pretty much everyone. 🙂
My TTT
Jamie says
I’m thinking I will be bumping it up..binge read!!
Trina says
My Life Next Door really is a Jamie book. 😉 I believe it takes place in summer, too, so that’s a good excuse to grab it soon before summer is over. (It’s not over to me, I don’t care what all my teacher friends say!)
Jamie says
YES this makes me happy you say this bc I feel like you get my taste pretty well! I’m def going to read it before the summer is over!! Perfect summer read ender!
Trina says
Oh! And if you’re interested in Gone Girl and want to see the movie, do yourself a favor and DEFINITELY read the book before you see the movie! That’s not me being snooty about books being better than the movies, but this book has an element to it that was pulled off so well on the pages and if you see the movie first I fear it will ruin it for you!
Jamie says
I definitely plan to read before I watch especially with a book like Gone Girl. I hear it’s cray!
Chrissi Reads says
I think I’m one of those that has recommended Me Before You to you before. It’s one of my favourite books of all time. It is hard to read and an emotional read, but I absolutely adore it. I also recommend Gone Girl. I would also recommend you read the book first if you’re thinking of watching the movie.
Jamie says
YES you def are!! I can think of like a handful of people who have said it on Twitter and on here and then the rest blur together but I know you have said it! And def plan on reading Gone Girl before the movie. Guess I better figure out when that movie comes out and plan that out!
Jennifer aka YA Book Nerd says
I loved something real and I still haven’t read Daughter of Smoke and Bone either…
I really enjoyed My Life Next Door
Jamie says
Have you read the companion to MLND? I’ve been hearing mixed things!
Jennifer aka YA Book Nerd says
No, but I also really liked What I Thought was True
Andrea @ Bookish says
My Life Next Door is so cute! I read that sucker in one day. One. Day. If you like contemporary romance, you’ll love it. I liked Gone Girl, too. I thought the ending was well done, even if most people hate it. The movie is going to be a renter for me, but I’ll be interested to see how they do with it.
Jamie says
I don’t know much about Gone Girl but I know it’s cray and people are curious how certain elements will translate. Always hard with book to movie!!
I love contemporary romance so I think MLND will be friends!
Ashley says
Hmm Gone Girl. It was like a 5 star book for me until the end. Then the end ruined EVERYTHING!! I think I ended up giving it like 3 stars instead just because the end seriously ruined EVERYTHING!! ALL THAT AWESOMENESS—GONE!!
Jamie says
AH I HATE THAT. I know a lot of people had that happen with We Were LIars (which I LOVED!). I will be curious to see where I fall with Gone Girl!
Savindi says
Aristotle and Dante discover the Secrets of the Universe is such a beautiful book! I agree with people that is a very ‘Jamie’ book! I hope you get a chance to read it sometime! I have the Piper’s Son as well, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I hope you get a chance to read all of these books Jamie!
Jamie says
YAY thanks for the vote here! I feel like I hear it A LOT about Aristotle & Dante so I think I will be getting it again soon from the library! I LIKE BEAUTIFUL.
Brandyn says
Loved Gone Girl, but have you possibly avoided being spoiled by now? The end was frustrating, but its true to the book and the characters.
I read My Life Next Door last year and didn’t love it, but it took me a couple days to figure out why. I kinda felt like both the main characters were Mary Sue’s. A little too perfect and all the conflict happened because certain secondary characters suck.
Fair warning – Daughter of Smoke and Bone end “To be continued” which is a fatal book flaw for me. If it’s a trilogy I can live with it in a second book, but first books need to be able to stand on their own.
Jamie says
Strangely I haven’t heard ANYTHING specific about Gone Girl at all except the ending is cray or something and that everyone hates the characters haha
Hmm I’ll be curious to see if I find the characters to be Mary Sue’s…I like my characters flawed haha.
Hmm good to know about DoSaB! I will have them all on hand! I so agree though..to be continued is so frustrated in most cases.
Leah says
Seriously, ANY Jojo book is worth reading. I’m slowly working my way through her backlist and out of the four I’ve read so far, every. single. one. has made me cry. EVERY single one. Normally I’d hate that and would swear off anything she came near, but her books are so magical and beautiful. Please, PLEASE read one of her books!
Vi says
Lets not forget any and ALL of JLA’s books I keep pushing you to read, lol.
Heidi @ YA Bibliophile says
Ahhhhhh! My Life Next Door! The Piper’s Son! DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE!!!!!!!
Alison Doherty says
Definitely read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe first. That book is solid gold.
Marie says
You need to read Winger! So well-written. You’ll laugh so hard and then you’ll have all kinds of emotions for the characters and it’s all so seamlessly written. My TTT: http://bookishginger.blogspot.com/2014/08/top-ten-tuesday_19.html
Jessica says
You definitely have to read Me before You, Jamie! It was an incredibly beautiful, soulful book that really touched my heart. <3
Nicole Hewitt says
All of these books suit you I think. I would definitely recommend My Life Next Door and I REALLY want to read Me Before You – I actually had it from the library, but ended up not reading it in time and having to return it. Oops!
Mckenzie says
Since you do like some interesting nonfiction, Balzac and The Little Chinese Seamstress is actually fiction but based around the re-education of China during the cultural revolution in the late 20th century. A must read! Got it in a 99 cent bin at a used bookstore, but then read it with my aunt’s bookclub!
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library says
Yes to 8, 9 and 10 especially! Pretty much anything by JoJo Moyes has been recommended so many times that my contrary side almost doesn’t want to read her! I found Gone Girl and interesting read. I can’t say I enjoyed it because everyone involved was really awful but I did find it compelling.
Lea @ YA Book Queen says
My Life Next Door + Daughter of Smoke & Bone are both fantastic! I’m with you on Winger + Aristotle & Dante, I keep hearing how incredible they both are.
Awesome top ten 🙂
Nicole @ The Quiet Concert says
Well, MLND is only like my favorite contemporary read ever so yes I totally support this recommendation. I CAN see you really enjoying it also. I also loved Winger, it didn’t blow me away until the end though but Andrew Smith’s writing is very entertaining. And DoSaB is the beginning of a FANASTIC series. Don’t be too late jumping on that bandwagon. Don’t you wish you had started ToG earlier? 😉
Jenn @ Booksessed says
Daughter Of Smoke And Bone is amazing. It’s one of my go-to’s when I’m in a slump. I also have the audiobook, which may be the best I’ve ever heard. Plus, Prague!
Sarah @ What Sarah Read says
My top three from your list would have to be:
1- My Life Next Door
2 – Something Real
3 – Daughter of Smoke and Bone
All very different from each other but all so, SO fantastic!
Cialina says
Gone Girl is actually one of the few adult books I’ve read and enjoyed this year. I also still need to read The Piper’s Son and Winger!
Annie says
Winger & Aristotle and Dante are books that I’ve been recommended to read a ton as well. But sometimes it scares me how much people love these book and I’m like nope don’t want to be the only one who doesn’t like it. So there they are… on my bookshelf… collecting dust. I don’t know when I’ll finally get to them but hopefully one day I’m going to be good and pick them up and love them. AND YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY READ ME BEFORE YOU. It’s soooooo good!! It was such an emotional read but I just could not put the book down. It was seriously fantastic. And My Life Next Door was pretty good too! I really liked Tim!
Cayce says
Oh yes, Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe! You should definitely, DEFINITELY read that one. 🙂
(and I have read Winger, but… hated it?)
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words says
I’ve been told to read Sara Zarr SO MANY TIMES but I haven’t read anything of hers. I haven’t read Something Real or The Survival Kit either but have both of them… they’re gathering dust. 🙂
I can also recommend Me Before You but it’s a major tearjerker.
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words
Charlotte says
I am firmly of the belief that everyone should read Daughter of Smoke and Bone because, well, IT’S AMAZING.
Your post has reminded me that I’ve got a copy of How to Save a Life that I totally forgot about! I must find it out, I don’t know why I never read it!
Erica says
I had resisted on Daughter of Smoke and Bone for a while but I finally read it about a month ago and it was great–the writing is really beautiful. There were parts of the story I was less into, but as a whole I loved it and I already have the 2nd book which is amazing for me since I tend to give up on series after first books unless they’re really amazing.
I agree with everyone telling you to read Gone Girl before the movie–I think it will be impossible to avoid getting spoiled after that.
Anna says
YES to Gone Girl. YES to How to Save a Life. NO NO NO to Me Before You. I think because of my personal connection to quadraplegics (and yours), I have never been more upset by a book before in my life. JUST SAYING.
tabithasbookblog says
THE PIPERS SON. I think i remember you liking Saving Francesca… and well. This book is a must. I didn’t even know what it was when I first read it and it’s one of my favorites. I actually just reread it a few months ago! And then Something Real was wicked good as well! I would definitely categorize it as a ‘Jamie’ book.
Brianna says
Eeek, I’ve only read one book on this list! But I’ve heard great things about a lot of these. Awesome list!
Sarah @ Sarah's Book Shelves says
I loved Gone Girl and Me Before You! You should definitely read both!
kimberlybuggie says
OMG! I love Gone Girl, Me Before You and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I was told by EVERYONE to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone and I kept putting it off… and finally when I did, I didn’t come up for air for DAYS. So if you’re going to start that trilogy, clear your calendar!
I hope you get to them sooN!
Happy Reading!
Christina (A Reader of Fictions) says
The ones I can personally vouch for as possibly being Jamie books are 1,6, and 9. Number nine actually really surprised me. I got it unsolicited and was like ugh I guess I’ll try it, but then I loved it! I actually haven’t read most of your list, though, so I can’t be too much help!
Lori says
I LOVE Winger!! So I definitely think you should read it. Also, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is beautifully written. I’m not someone who recommends Gone Girl. I kind of hated it. The ending just killed it for me. But it is one of those books that EVERYONE has read so it is at least nice to be able to talk about it when people bring it up. My recs would be 1, 2, and 8.
Caitlin McCann says
Unfortunately I can’t be much help in the recommendation department because I haven’t read any of these books. But I can commiserate with the high volume Gillian Flynn and Jojo Meyers. It seems like these books are everywhere these days! I’d like to did my toe in the waters with some of their other work though just in case the hype is too much pressure.
Jackie Lea Sommers says
THE PIPER’S SON, YES YES YES YES YESYESYESSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Jennie May says
Winger is on my to-read list, I keep hearing such good things!
Liz says
WINGER is about a high school boy at boarding school who plays rugby. He’s trying to deal with fitting in with his friends, falling in love, etc. It’s funny and touching and heartbreaking all at once. I adored it.
GONE GIRL was a book that I decided I would never reread as soon as I finished it. I didn’t hate it–but the characters were so unlikable that I just didn’t care to ever experience it again.
I also need to read ME BEFORE YOU. Soon, I hope.
Kayla @ The Thousand Lives says
I second My Life Next Door! It’s so sweet and summery – not to mention the romance is just AMAZING.
Danielle @ Love at First Page says
Something Real – giiiiirrrrrlll you KNOW you need to read this. PATRICK. SHELDON. You must meet this kid!!
The Piper’s Son – I will recommend Melina Marchetta every day of the week. I love this book something fierce. Thomas Mackee will break your heart, I promise.
My Life Next Door – really, J? You haven’t read this?! *throws book at you*
Tori @ Bookish Affairs says
I’m only about 100 pages into My Life Next Door, but it is definitely a you book if you’re so into contemporary right now. The relationship between Samantha and Jase is absolutely adorable (from what I’ve read), and I think you’ll really enjoy it (:
Tori @ Bookish Affairs
Erin says
I have a copy of My Life Next Door, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I hope to because my sister really liked it.
I didn’t like Gone Girl at all. The plot was interesting enough, but I just thought that Flynn’s details were too disgusting for me.
Brianna says
I have a couple of JoJo Moyes’ most recent books on my Kindle, thanks to NetGalley (that place is like a candy store to me, I swear), but I haven’t gotten to them. I am trying to read 100 paces in a Kindle book everyday (so, I’ll read from space 200 to space 300). It’s the slowest way ever to read, but it’s about all I’ve got time for these days.
Nadia says
I’ve only read “Daughter of Smoke and Bone”, “Gone Girl” and “Winger”.
DoSaB = one of the most beautiful books I have ever read, and one of the richest fantasies out there. YOU NEED TO READ THIS TRILOGY JAMIE.
GG = It was crazy! and so interesting! I cannot wait for the movie to come out. If you like thrillers I think you’d enjoy it (+stuff about marriage life, but not in the way you’d expect). The characters were so interesting!
Winger = Never in a million years would I recommend this book. I thought it was very homophobic and sexist and I didn’t like it at all.
Adriane says
So I just last night finished Me Before You and seriously thought, has Jamie read that one, cause it is SO her!!!! And then I get your email and see that it is on there! Crazy!!!! It is such a you book and you will love it… read it cause I really really want to talk to someone about it… It is such an amazing book!
I read and LOVED My Life Next Door… I read the follow us so excited and … eh… not really as good… not bad, but just didn’t hit with that same punch as the first one…
Tried Winger and couldn’t get into it… will try again at some point, but I’m trying to not force my self to read books!
I loved Something Real and I really didn’t think I would.
Hana Brown says
“My life next door” is one I think you would love. There are an awful lot of good books you have listed, I don’t think you could go wrong no matter what you pick. But that book in particular seems like one that would become a new favorite for you!
Amanda @ Vivalabooks says
YOU NEED TO READ MY LIFE NEXT DOOR! I definitely think you’d enjoy it and there’s a companion novel coming out.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone has been recommended to me so many times, but I still haven’t picked it up. I have no idea why, it’s just one of those books.
Are you going to read Gone Girl to see the movie?? I want to read it, but I heard the ending is awful.
Alexa S. says
I definitely think you should read My Life Next Door! It’s such a great contemporary novel, and Jase Garrett is easy to fall in love with. And also, Something Real! It’s such a surprising contemporary novel, and I fell in love with Heather Demetrios’ writing because of it. And Me Before You is an excellent read! I can also enthusiastically endorse the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, as it’s got beautiful writing, a vivid setting and wonderful characters too. Good luck reading all of these, Jamie!
Alexa says
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is amazing but I recommend the audio because the audio is beautiful, best audio book I’ve ever listened to for the narrator. Plus the writing and storyline is just downright amazing and one that isn’t done a lot in YA because of the way Taylor writes.
It is certainly a must read!